At IMO, countries extend negotiations on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London from 27 April to 1 May 2026. As expected, the Committee’s 84th session again allowed more time for negotiations on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. 

Final decisions on a package of measures regulating greenhouse gas emissions from shipping have already been postponed once, to November 2026. The measures were originally due to be agreed in October 2025. 

In July 2023, the IMO’s 176 Member States reached consensus on a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. The goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in maritime transport by or around 2050, taking into account national circumstances. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from ships must be reduced by at least 20 per cent compared to 2008. The interim target set for 2040 is a reduction of at least 70 per cent.

The IMO Net-Zero Framework, designed to deliver these targets and provisionally adopted in April 2025 following difficult negotiations, was put on hold in October 2025. Finland and the other EU Member States are in favour of continuing negotiations on the basis of this framework. The reduction measures must be sufficient to meet the targets agreed in 2023. 

However, several proposals submitted ahead of the round of negotiations that ended on 1 May 2026 suggested dropping key economic elements of the Net-Zero Framework. According to expert assessments, regulation based on these proposals would not be enough to reach the agreed emission reduction targets. The proposals did not gain broad support. 

In addition to the economic elements, the participants had differing opinions on the procedure by which the regulation would ultimately be adopted. In the absence of sufficiently broad consensus, the IMO Member States decided to allow more time for negotiations and to hold two working group meetings in autumn 2026.

IMO Member States are also divided in their approach to current issues in world politics. Voting is uncommon at the IMO, but during this session, time was taken up by a vote on a resolution concerning the impact of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz on the marine environment. The session adopted a resolution by 59 votes to 3 condemning the attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and expressing concern about related risks of oil spills and other marine pollution. Finland and the other EU Member States voted in favour of the resolution. Thirty-two IMO Member States abstained, and several left the assembly hall during the vote.

Provisions on ice-strengthened vessels proposed for guidelines

Finland participates in IMO negotiations as part of a group of EU Member States because the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from shipping falls under the EU’s exclusive competence. Finland considers it important that the regulation takes into account the safe passage of ships in ice-covered areas.

For this round of negotiations, Finland submitted a proposal regarding ice-strengthened vessels together with the other EU Member States and several non-European countries. The proposed amendment was successfully negotiated into the draft guidelines to the Net-Zero Framework. Finland will continue its efforts to ensure the amendment is included in the final regulation. 

Other decisions to improve the marine environment 

The session also negotiated and decided on a range of other matters related to the environmental impacts of shipping. Among other things, the Committee adopted an Emission Control Area for nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter in the North-East Atlantic. The area will enter into force in September 2028. 

The Committee continued its work aimed at a mandatory code governing the maritime transport of plastic pellets. In addition, it provisionally adopted several amendments to the Ballast Water Management Convention and an updated Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships. 

What’s next?

Negotiations on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will continue at working group level in September and November 2026, unless the IMO Council decides otherwise. Finland is a member of the IMO Council during the 2026–2027 term. 

The next regular session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee will take place in November–December 2026. The extraordinary session adjourned in October 2025 is scheduled to resume immediately afterwards in early December. 

As part of the EU, Finland will continue its work at the IMO to achieve global regulation based on the Net-Zero Framework. Finland aims for detailed guidelines that address safe, efficient and sustainable winter navigation.

Inquiries:

Eero Hokkanen, Alternate Permanent Representative of Finland to the IMO, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 50 476 0401, eero.hokkanen(at)gov.fi